By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Zakithi Nene crosses the line to win the first semifinal in Tokyo on Tuesday. Image: Pawel Kopczynski.
Zakithi Nene dominated his 400m semifinal, confidently securing victory in 44.20 seconds and advancing to the final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Jamaican Rusheen McDonald was second in 44.04, with Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago third in 44.12 and American Jacory Patterson, one of the pre-race favourites, fourth in 44.19.
“It was well within my means. Right now it’s all about survive and advance – it’s a championship and I did just enough to advance. With 44.20, hopefully I can a get a decent lane for the final, then we can go for it,” Nene said in a post-race television interview.
Asked if the three-round nature of the 400m competition had been a challenge, a confident Nene responded: “If I have to run rounds, I’m well conditioned for that. I can give you PB after PB, no problem.”
His countryman Lythe Pillay missed out on a place in the final, finishing sixth in his semifinal in 44.82.
Thursday’s final will take place at 3.10pm on Thursday (SA time).
In action on Wednesday, on day five of the track and field showpiece, middle-distance runner Tshepo Tshite will compete in the men’s 1 500m final.
AloJapan.com